Curry spices could help relieve hypertension — in rats that is

Indian medical researchers say they
have successfully tested a blend of curry spices that lower blood
pressure in lab rats, raising hopes for a natural and affordable drug to
treat the chronic disease. S. Thanikachalam, a cardiology expert who
headed the research, said his team had tested a mixture of ginger,
cardamom, cumin and pepper — common ingredients in Indian kitchens —
along with white lotus petals and others on the rodents.‘We saw tremendous positive changes
in rats induced with high blood pressure during our laboratory
experiments,’ said Thanikachalam, who heads the department of cardiology
at Sri Ramachandra University in the southern city of Chennai. ‘The
drug was very effective in reducing the blood pressure and bringing down
oxidative stress in rats,’ he told AFP. The study said the spices were
successful at reducing renovascular hypertension, a secondary form of
high blood pressure caused by a narrowing of the arteries in the
kidneys. Indians are genetically predisposed
to hypertension with one in four people in cities suffering from the
disorder, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Hypertension
is mostly treated with modern pharmaceuticals but high costs and the
possibility of side effects deter many from taking daily medication. The
latest research is not the first time a curry ingredient has been
associated with healthy benefits. In February 2011, scientists released a
study suggesting a new hybrid drug tested on animals, made in part from
the chemical in the yellow spice turmeric, could help regenerate brain
cells after a stroke. Thanikachalam said the herbal treatment tried by
his team, known as venthamarai chooranam, was a combination mentioned in
ancient Indian literature. ‘It’s been passed on from one generation to
the other. It’s just that it’s not been validated scientifically,’ he
said.The researchers want to expand the
animal study to see if the herbal medicine works for chronic conditions
before turning to human clinical trials, a mandatory step before any new
drug can be brought to market. ‘We will be observing the rats in the
long run and see if it sustains. Our goal is to develop a drug that is
effective and cheap,’ he said.’ The results of the study were published
in the June edition of the medical journal Experimental Biology and
Medicine.

Zinat Hanna is a full time writer who spends most of his time in
the coffee shops of Texas. Zinat has a BSc in psychology. Her
other interests are self improvement, general health, trans-humanism and
brain training. As well as writing for websites and magazines, she also
runs her own sites and has published several books and apps on these
topics. She lives in Texas, USA with her boyfriend and in her spare
time she enjoys climbing, travelling, playing games, reading comics and
eating sandwiches.

About Me

Zinat Hanna is a full time writer who spends most of his time in
the coffee shops of Texas. Zinat has a BSc in psychology. Her
other interests are self improvement, general health, trans-humanism and
brain training. As well as writing for websites and magazines, she also
runs her own sites and has published several books and apps on these
topics. She lives in Texas, USA with her boyfriend and in her spare
time she enjoys climbing, travelling, playing games, reading comics and
eating sandwiches.